Reference :
PSA-RIACT
Available outside the USA PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a serine protease of the kallikrein group, found almost exclusively in the prostate. It is a 34 000 D MW glycoprotein, and plays an important role in the liquefaction of the seminal fluid. PSA circulates in serum in both the free form and complexed with anti-proteases alpha1 anti-chymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) and alpha 2 macroglobulin. Conventional PSA assays measure both PSA and PSA-ACT (total PSA) without distinction. While a very low quantity of total PSA is present in the serum of healthy males, raised seric levels are found in cases of benign hyperplasia, of prostatitis and particularly of prostate cancer, including in the early stages (stage A). PSA assay must be interpreted taking into account the results of rectal touch examination. The currently recognised values of PSA are lower than 4 ng ml-1 of total PSA. However, physiological variations related to patient age exist. As prostate volume increases with age, any PSA assay must be interpreted taking patient age into account. Early diagnosis may be carried out with the help of PSA assay. It also permits the clinical and therapeutic follow-up of patients, and the detection of relapses.
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